Couple involved in an international custody fight appear in court

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (WXYZ) - Nine years ago, Carl Mueller met a Japanese woman named Mayumi online. Six months later, they were married.

They lived in Japan and had a son.

Now, their 8-year-old boy, a Japanese citizen, is at the center of an international custody battle.

"If she's able to take him back. I don't think I'll see him again because of the law in Japan and the typical attitude," says Carl Mueller.

The Mueller's are still married, but Carl Mueller says for a number of reasons, he decided to leave Japan with their son.
Thursday morning, deputies showed up at Carl Mueller's St. Clair Shores home where he and his son have been staying since March.

They were all brought to a Mt. Clemens courtroom for a hearing because Mayumi Mueller recently flew here with a temporary custody order she got from a court in Japan.

According to her attorney, Mayumi Mueller hasn't seen her son since January 21. The court hearing was the first time they saw each other again.

Mayumi Mueller's attorney says Carl Mueller abducted the couple's child, but he insists he told her they were leaving.

When asked if he had any plans to return to Japan with their son, Carl Mueller said he tried to communicate with his wife, but she never responded.

Thursday's hearing was adjourned since Carl Mueller's attorney wasn't present for the hearing. It has been rescheduled for July 11.

For now, the 8-year-old boy will remain at his paternal grandparents home in St. Clair Shores, but a visitation schedule has been set up so his mother can also see him while she's in town from Japan.